The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-11

his hat and bounded out Of the room and
down the stairs, whistling as he went.
Late in the afternoon of the day on which
the above conversation between Virgil and
Milton occurred, Pauline sat alone in the
library, her parents had gone outinto Hen
rico TO visit some friends. The girl held in
her hand an open volume of Tennysons
Poems, but, from the vacant expression OF
her eyes, it was evident that her thoughts
had wandered far away from the contents
| of the book.
Suddenly the book slipped from the little
hand to the floor; YEARLY the golden head
dropped upon the window-sill; slowly the
sad, beautiful eyes were raised toward
heaven, and from the bleeding heart within
arose a prayer to the Father above.
| Rising, at length, she seated herself before
the organ, which was used for sacred
music only, and presently she was playing
and singing the prayer of her heart
The sweet voice died away, and, rising,
Pauline proceeded to put down the lid of the
instrument, when hand was laid gently on
her shoulder. Turning quickly, she beheld
! Virgil standing before her.
''Sit down, Paulie, !" he said. 81 want you
| to favor me with some more music. was
enchanted just now. knew you possessed
q wonderfully sweet voice, but / never
heard you sing with so much feeling as you
| did Just now. You seemed to throw your
whole soul into the hymn. You have far
sweeter voice than Florine has"
1T is a wonder you admit the fact, If fact
it be,n replied Pauline with forced smile.
The young lawyer laughed.
''Then you thought | would be 10th to
| acknowledge the superiority of your voice
to Florines because of my love for here
All, you wrong me deeply, Paulie, If you
think love could so bias my mind" and here
the speaker placed mis- hand under the girls
| chin, and, scrutDizing her face closely, ex-
! claimed: "Paulie,, you look so sad! What
is the matter3 There is such a mournful,
weary expression in your eyesi Your lips
are destitute of color, and as | speak they
are actually quivering. What is the matter
with my little sisterl Can you not confide
in one who loves you as dearly as your own
brother doeSm
"Oh Virgil, was so struck awhile ago
with the beauty of stanza in Tennyson's
May Queen, " evasively replied the girl.
us that the cause of your sadnesss Can
| you repeat the passage"
Fixing her eyes upon the floor she repeat
ed the following stanza, which indeed had
| impressed her with its beauty:
"Oh, sweet is the new violet that comes beneath
And sweet is the young lambs voice to me that
cannot rise,
And sweet is all the land about, and all the
| And sweeter far is death than life to me that
long to CO."
II have often been struck with the beauty
| of those lines said Virgil "but surely the
sentiment expressed in them is not the sem
timent of your heart, Pauline. Surely
death is not sweeter than life to you-you
who have so much to live for and so much
to make you happy-you who are blessed
with grace, beauty, fine mind, wealth, low
| ing parents, and hosts of devoted friendss
Perhaps my little sister is not feeling we'll
You do look pale; though it doesn't become
me to tell you SC. The invigorating breezes
of old Louisa will soon bring the roses back
! to your colorless dinpleS. Cheer up, Paulie.
Don't throw gloom over my heart, for
| am one of the h6ppiest men in the world
She raised her eyes mechanically to his,
but made no remark.
"You don't ask me the cause of my hap
piness, Paulie? Have you no curiosity"g
"Well, what makes you so happy, Vir-
gil?' she asked, dropping her gaze upon the
floor.
Can you not guessl Florine has prom
ised to becom. my wife. Now, isn't that
enough to make a man happys Am / not
lucky to have won the heart of one of the
most charming and beautiful women in
Richmond By the way, Paulie," he con-
tinued, after brief pause. 'How do you
like the idea of having me for cousinm
81 should like it very well, " she answered.
together. / do hope she will make you
good wife, Virgil"
"Of course she will " was the prompt re-
ply. "Don's you hope also that I'll make
your cousin good husband"
ooh, haven't any doubt about that"
"Thank you, little sister, for the exalted
opinion you have of me-" he said, as he ten
| derby stroked her hand. Then if any
| thing should occur to disturb our welded
| felicity, you will lay the blame, woman
| like upon my beautiful Florine"
The footman, at this moment, appeared in
| the doorway.
"Mr. Paine,n he said, bowling and grin
ming. "Miss Florine says your three min
utes have expired"
Pauline looked from the negro to Virgil,
! and from Virgil to the negro as if bewild-
| ered
Chlorine" she said "Where is sheF'
ooh, she is in the buggy" promptly an
| swered the young lawyer. II wanted her to
| come into the house with me, but she re-
| fused. She gave me permission, however,
| to come in, but limited my visit to three
minutes only, and as the time has expired,
| / must hasten to join my lady love. Come,
| are you going with me to the door"
He playfully drew her arm in his, and led
| her out into the hall.
"Paulie, wish you and DR.. Evans would
| make friends. Wouldn't it be capital to
| have double wedding in October or No
| vember? Wouldn't it, little sister,"
Pauline only smiled-at least she tried to
do so.
As she and Virgil reached the porch,
Florine leaned out of the buggy and be-
slowed u smile and bow upon her cousin.
IL wish, Pauline, there was room enough
for you i'll the buggy, would take you out
riding with us" SAID Virgil,
'Ihank you, dont't care about riding
this afternoon. Ii had wished a ride, /
would have gone out with papa aud NAM
ma"
"Where are your father and motherp
''They are gone out into the countryNa
at is beautiful evening, isn't it"
sit is indeed"
'Good evening, Paulie."
'Good evening, Virgil"
He pressed her hand warmly. Then, with
a smile and wave of his hand, he leaped
from the porch to the walk.
A low ripple OF laughter broke from
Florine's lips.
"Mr Paine, you are as active and as hap
Ply as a school-boy," she said, as he sat down
beside her in the vehicle and took the reins
from her hands
Pauline watched the buggy until it dis
appeared around the next corner. Then the
poor girl turned and entered the front par
Tor, and throwing herself into a chair
moaned out in the anguish of her love-
stricken heart